TAEM- The Arts and Entertainment Magazine has many followers among students of the Arts who use our publication as a learning tool to hone their careers. By taking the learning experiences of successful actors they are able to undertake the learning processes and avoid the pitfalls of those that we have interviewed.

One of the success stories that we like to tackle is the transition from television to the silver screen. We also like to explore the differences between the two types of acting for our readers to digest. One actor who straddles these venues is Ashton Bingham.

Ashton, what enticed you to take up acting for your career and who were your greatest influences to do so?

AB- I was first enticed at the age of 8, when my grandfather taught me a magic trick. That small action became the catalyst that completely shaped the rest of my childhood, all the way through high school. Every fiber of my being looked forward to learning my next magic trick, and performing it for my next spectator. I wasn’t much of a partier in school; I spent my time and allowance practicing, honing my sleight of hand, and acquiring more learning materials. By the time college hit, I was working very consistently in the northern Nevada area at corporate gigs, kids’ birthday parties, restaurants, and theaters, performing everything from close up card tricks, to large stage illusions (yes I did cut my assistant in half!). How did this lead me to acting you ask?? Well, like magic, I had a major fascination with making movies and acting in them. It was hard to catch me without a camera in my hand; but despite the fact that this hobby fell by the wayside a bit when magic came along, it was a fire inside me that never died. As I was finishing up my second year of college, I had to pick a direction. And as much as I would have loved to have my own show in Vegas…I dreamt bigger. It took me about 9 months, but I made all the necessary arrangements, packed everything, left everyone I knew, and moved to Los Angeles on January 9th, 2010 – the most exhilarating and terrifying day of my life to date. (more…)

Poet Lauriate Candice James

A Patch Of Black Grass

I set fire to a patch of black grass

Burnt by an unforgiving sun

Peeling back layers of over-ripe skin

On the seeds of this still-life painting.

This day is a fast rolling ball of fire

Chasing me down like a rabid dog

On the heels of a desperate clown

Walking an ice-glazed tightrope

In loose fitting second hand shoes,

All semblance of balance

Tossed aside for the thrill of the kill.

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